Bellator 59 Results and Play-by-Play

Nov 26, 2011

Sherdog.com will report from Caesars Atlantic City in Atlantic
City, N.J., at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET with play-by-play and
live results of
Bellator 59, which features the finals of Bellator's Season 5
bantamweight and heavyweight tournaments.

Round 1
Greg Franklin is the referee for this contest. Milliard catches a
kick and quickly takes down Saling. Milliard lands short punches to
the ribs inside of Saling’s closed guard; then follows with punches
to the head. A cut has already formed above Saling’s eyelid and is
bleeding profusely. Milliard continues to control position, landing
elbows. Franklin orders a standup as Milliard fails to work in the
guard. Saling misses with a spinning back fist. They clinch and
Milliard pushes his opponent toward the cage. Milliard connects
with a leg kick, and Saling grins back at him. Saling is stalking
Milliard now, but Milliard connects with a head kick. The round
ends with Milliard circling his opponent. Sherdog.com scores the
bout 10-9 Milliard.

Round 2
Milliard comes out throwing kicks, then he secures another takedown
within the first 30 seconds of the round. Saling tries to sit up,
and Milliard takes his back. He can’t get the hooks in, so he moves
to a front face lock before switching to side control. Milliard
looks to pin his opponent’s arm down for a crucifix, but Saling
rolls over onto all fours. Milliard continues to maintain control
of the bout with 90 seconds remaining. He connects with a hard knee
to Saling’s ribs. Now with both men standing, Milliard lands a
couple more knees and they separate and return to the center of the
cage. Nothing significant lands in the standup as the round
expires. Sherdog.com scores the bout 10-9 Milliard.

Round 3
Touch of gloves as the final frame begins. Milliard fires a leg
kick. Saling comes forward with punches but isn’t landing anything.
He’s looking to bait his opponent into a brawl as Milliard
retreats. Saling continues to throw big looping punches toward the
Aruban. A right hand from Saling finds its mark and they tie up
against the cage. The stronger Milliard turns Saling against the
cage before taking him down and moving to side control. Saling
gives up his back yet again to avoid Milliard’s crucifix. Milliard
takes advantage with hammerfists and right hands. Saling moves
toward the fence, he’s up momentarily but Milliard drags him down
from behind. Back in side control, Milliard finally achieves full
mount in the final 20 seconds. Milliard takes Saling’s back and
hunts for a rear-naked choke as the round ends. The final verdict
is announced and Milliard gets identical 30-27 marks on all three
judges’ scorecards. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Milliard.
(30-27 Milliard)

Round 1
Van Artsdalen attacks immediately, pushing Heckman against the
fence. Heckman breaks away, throws a huge left hook and slams his
opponent to the mat. Now he locks in a guillotine, but Van
Artsdalen escapes and counters with a standing rear-naked choke.
Quick pace as the two men move back to the center of the cage.
Hckman lands a kick to the body. Van Artsdalen changes levels and
leaves his neck exposed as he shoots for a takedown. Heckman takes
advantage of the opportunity, locks in a modified standing
guillotine and forces his opponent to tap. The end officially comes
at 1:38 of round 1.

Round 1
Keith Peterson is the referee in the cage for this catch-weight
affair. Gordon throws a kick, which Pimenta checks. Pimenta follows
with a right hand that catches Gordon off balance. With his
opponent on the mat, Pimenta pounces immediately and fires away
with elbows to temple. As the assault continues, Peterson has no
choice but to call it. Pimenta gets the win via knockout just 40
seconds into the opening stanza.

Round 1
Kevin McDonald is in charge of the welterweight contest. Maynard
hits a leg kick followed by a body kick. He rushes forward with a
body punch and ties Wing up against the cage. Maynard continuing
with short body punches, while Wing attempts to stay busy with
knees of his own. Wing escapes and circles away. Wing throws a 1-2
combination. Maynard throws an outside leg kick. Maynard hits
another leg kick and follows with a right hand. The aggressor so
far has been Maynard, who is using leg kicks to set up his offense.
Thirty seconds to go and Wing misses a switch kick. They tie up
again as the round winds down. Wing ends the round with some knees
as he’s backed up against the cage. Sherdog.com scores the round
10-9 Maynard.

Round 2
Wing comes forward with a combination and moves away. Maynard
connects with an outside leg kick. Wing misses with a head kick and
slips. Maynard capitalizes and mounts an attack in Wing’s half
guard. Plenty of right hands to the body by Maynard, who is also
mixing in sharp left elbows. Maynard continues to press on with
elbows in half guard, and now Wing is bleeding. Wing with an upkick
as Maynard gets up, but he quickly pounces and falls into the full
guard of Wing. Maynard has done a good job of staying busy in this
position. Wing is turtling momentarily as Maynard’s punches gain
force. Maynard dives in with a big right hand in the final 20
seconds. The round ends with more Maynard strikes from top
position. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Maynard.

Round 3
A Wing right hand is countered by Maynard. Wing comes forward with
an uppercut, left hand combo that misses. Maynard connects with a
solid uppercut. An outside leg kick is countered by a right hand
from Wing. Wing continues to come forward with combinations, but
Maynard lands a good counter right hand. The outside leg kicks
continue to be a constant source of offense from Maynard. Wing
shoots for a takedown, but Maynard sprawls and pushes down on
Wing’s head. Maynard can’t take his foe’s back, but diligently goes
back to his ground and pound. Less than 90 seconds remain, and Wing
is back on the defense. Maynard remains consistent with punches and
elbows. Wing doesn’t get back to his feet until the bell
sounds.

Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Maynard (30-27 Maynard) Official
result: Two judges score the bout 30-27, while another has it 30-26
for the winner by unanimous decision, Levon Maynard.

Round 1
Greg Franklin is the referee for this 175-pound catch-weight scrap.
Amoussou comes out throwing kicks, Martinez catches one and the two
clinch for a moment before separating. Martinez misses with a
windmill overhand right. Amoussou throws a leg kick and Martinez
falls to the floor. It looks like a slip. Amoussou lands a
combination. Amoussou throws a head kick, and then a right hand
catches Martinez on the chin, crumpling him to the canvas. From
there, Amoussou lands a flurry of punches with his opponent on all
fours before the bout is stopped at 2:20 of round two, giving
Amoussou a TKO triumph.

Round 1
Kevin McDonald is in charge of the action for this lightweight
fight. Touch of gloves to start the action. A right hand from Nover
temporarily floors Held, but he’s up quickly. Held rolls into a
kneebar attempt, but Nover avoids the submission. Held transitions
from Nover’s back to an inverted heel hook. Nover has a leg lock of
his own. Held is rolling for a heel hook for the second time, but
again is unsuccessful. Now both men are back up. The 19 year old
presses Nover against the cage, Held pulls guard. The former
“Ultimate Fighter” competitor counters with punches on the ground.
Final minute of the round, Held is content to wait on his back, but
a standup is ordered. Held rolls for another kneebar and now finds
himself in top position. Nover finishes the round hunting for an
armbar from his back. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for
Held.

Round 2
Held pulls guard again, and Nover tries to work from his opponent’s
half guard. Held is trying to somersault his way out of trouble. A
big left from the American connects, and he continues to batter
Held with methodical short punches and elbows. The Pole tries for a
rolling armbar, but Nover pops out and moves to his feet. Nover
remains patient while Held waits on his back. Finally Nover walks
away and forces Held to his feet. Held shoots for a takedown and is
successful. Nover looks for a kimura, then gives it up and tries to
get mount. Held won’t allow it. Now Nover dives into Held’s guard
with punches. The final 10 seconds feature solid ground and pound
from Nover. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 for Nover.

Round 3
Held immediately shoots for a takedown. The Pole moves to Nover’s
half guard while Nover throws a short elbow from the bottom. Held
lands a series of short punches to the head. Held moves to a front
facelock, but Nover drives him back against the fence. Now in top
position, Nover peppers Held with short punches to the face. Held
reaches for a knee bar but Nover escapes and walks away. Held flies
in recklessly, but Nover avoids damage. They stand, and Held comes
forward aggressively. Nover responds with a double-leg takedown.
With a minute to go, Nover is in his opponent’s half guard,
continuing to throw short punches and elbows. Nover concludes the
round with hammerfists.

Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Nover (29-28 Nover)

Official result: Two judges see the fight 29-28 in favor of
Held, while the third has it 29-28 Nover. Marcin Held gets the
split decision nod.

Round 1
Keith Peterson is in charge of the bantamweight contest. They touch
gloves, and Vila immediately comes forward and scores a takedown.
The Brazilian threatens with submissions from the bottom and Vila
stands up, throwing kicks at Dantas’ legs. Dantas gets up and
connects with a jumping knee. Vila gets a body lock and pushes
Dantas against the fence. Vila can’t do much with the position,
however. Dantas tries to push the Cuban away from the cage, but
Vila regains the position and looks for a single leg. The Nova
Uniao product continues to display good balance while pressed
against the cage. With less than 30 seconds left, Vila drives
Dantas to the mat in the center of the cage. Dantas is up, and Vila
holds to his opponent’s back as time runs out. Sherdog.com scores
the round 10-9 Vila.

Round 2
Vila attacks for a single leg early, but Dantas resists. Vila isn’t
letting go as the Brazilian attempts to spin away. Dantas finally
breaks away and lands a looping right hand. Another solid punch
from Dantas is followed up by a kick to the body. An outside leg
kick from Dantas finds its mark. Vila rushes forward, using punches
to set up a takedown attempt before pushing Dantas against the
cage. Dantas reverses and they break away. Dantas lands a good knee
to Vila’s midsection. Dantas continuing to use his superior reach
to connect with leg kicks. Vila shoots and holds on to a leg.
Dantas sees an opening and briefly has a guillotine. Now standing
Vila lands a right hand, but Dantas returns fire with yet another
knee. Now pressed against the cage, the black belt attempts a
standing guillotine, but Vila is out of it. Dantas has Vila against
the cage and is throwing knees to the gut. Dantas attempts another
jumping knee with 10 seconds left but doesn’t connect. Sherdog.com
scores the round 10-9 Dantas.

Round 3
Dantas snaps an outside leg kick to start things, then lands
another. His jab seems to be finding its mark as well. Vila slips
as Dantas attempts a knee. Another knee attempt from the Brazilian
lands just below Vila’s chest. The fight hits the mat and Dantas
takes his opponent’s back. On the ground, Dantas has one hook in
and looks for a rear naked choke. Now the other hook is in, but his
back is against the cage. Dantas has a body triangle and e’s
attempting to stretch the Cuban out. Vila throws a few ineffective
backwards punches. Vila rolls over, and Dantas momentarily loses
the grip. He doesn’t give up, however, as he continues to slide his
arm under Vila’s chin. Dantas is persistent as Vila continues to
defend the choke. Vila can’t mount any offense, and Dantas rides
out the round in complete control.

Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Dantas (29-28 Dantas)

Official result: All three judges score the bout 29-28 for
the winner by unanimous decision, Eduardo Dantas

Round 1
Kevin McDonald is the referee for this lightweight tussle.
Pellegrino begins the bout on the outside, using angles to combat
Freire’s power. A left hook followed by a big right hand from
Freire instantly drops Pellegrino, and the New Jersey native grabs
a leg in desperation. Pitbull continues to pound away relentlessly
on his prone opponent. Pellegrino looks like he’s attempting to
roll out of the position, but it’s too late, as McDonald intervenes
to stop the beating, giving Pitbull a TKO victory just 50 seconds
into the opening frame.

Round 1
Greg Franklin is the referee for this heavyweight tilt. Prindle
looks for a big left hook, and Santos is able to take him down with
ease. Big Monster is in Prindle’s half guard and lands some
punches. Prindle explodes to his feet but is taken right back down
to the ground again. Santos attacks with ground and pound. From a
standing position, Santos launches a kick to the groin of Prindle,
who was on his back. The former U.S. Army boxing champion writhes
in pain on the mat as Franklin stops the action. Prindle eventually
gets to his feet, but is in obvious pain. Still grimacing, Prindle
insists that he can continue. He then tells the cageside doctor
that he feels nauseous. After further consultation the bout is
stopped, and Prindle exits the cage. Santos’ strike, which came at
the 1:24 mark, is ultimately ruled an accidental blow. The bout is
declared a no contest, setting up a rematch between the two men
sometime in 2012.